HEAD OF THE STOUR, 10th April, 2005

SOUTHAMPTON COASTAL HEAD, 23rd April, 2005

Wightlnk sponsored Ryde Rowing Club have competed in the two pre-season Head Races over the last few weeks in final preparation for the Regatta Season which starts with Newport Regatta, held off the Shrape, at East Cowes on the 21st May.

The Club travelled to Christchurch for the Head of the Stour on the 10th April and to Southampton for the Coastal Head on the 23rd.

With many of the Clubs oarsmen and women away at University and no events for the Clubs Junior Crews it was left to the Senior Men to fly the flag for the Club at both events - although some of the Juniors involved in the Wessex Team for the Junior Inter-regionals did take the opportunity to compete unofficially in their composite crews.

The Clubs Senior Four of Nick Pike, Ian Hayden, Mike Jenner and Matt Allsopp, and coxed by Tom Clark finished 2nd in the Senior Coxed Fours sections in both events behind the same strong Christchurch crew. At Christchurch the gap was just eight second and at Southampton it was even closer - with the five judges split - three giving a dead heat, 1 a win to Christchurch and 1 a win to Ryde - each by less than a second - with Christchurch taking the prize as the chasing crew. But in spite of their disappointment at not winning the Ryde Crew was well satisfied with their performance as they had not raced or trained in the four since September having concentrated during the winter on small boats.

All the Ryde Seniors moved into small boats for the 2nd divisions at both events with Nick Pike winning Coastal Senior Sculls on both occasions to confirm his position as favourite to retain the Hants & Dorset Men's Senior Sculls Championship won last year.  Matt Allsopp and Mike Jenner also competed in the Men's Senior Coastal Sculls with Matt finishing 3rd and Mike 6th on each occasion. Ben Ade competed in the Men's Coastal Novice Sculls at Christchurch finishing 13th - and in the second division finished 4th in the Men's Novice River Sculls.  Allan Evans had entered for the Men's River Veteran Sculls at Christchurch but unfortunately suffered a boat breakage and was unable to complete the course.

Copyright © 2003 Ryde Rowing Club - Last modified: August 16, 2007 Comments to: Webmaster